Just in time for summer, the Riverhead store will also offer a new promotional menu that includes the Corona Beach Bake and Coastal Wave Steampot featuring a wide range of fresh seafood finished with what Joe’s calls a Corona chili-lime bath.

In celebration of Thursday’s grand opening, the first 100 guests in line will earn a free Snow Crab Bucket every month for a year. All guests on opening day can enter to win free crab for life.

Guests can also participate in a national fundraiser for Autism Speaks by purchasing coupons for free desserts, appetizers and entrees on their next visit.

All proceeds from the coupons go to Autism Speaks, and for every $1 donation, guests receive a free key lime pie; with a $5 donation, a free crab nacho; and with a $10 donation, a free classic steampot.

“We’ve been eagerly awaiting our opening in Riverhead so we can share a little bit of the Gulf Coast, along with great seafood and fun times, with the whole community,” said Joe’s Crab Shack general manager Anne Bahr. “We want to treat our new neighbors to a little Southern hospitality at our grand opening celebration with giveaways – including free crab for life – and an opportunity to help the kids and families supported by Autism Speaks.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Joe’s Crab Shack, at 1490 Old Country Road (Route 58) in Riverhead.

TIM GANNON PHOTO | The Boulder Creeks signs have been removed from the Route 58 building. Joe’s Crab Shack is on its way.

Renovation work has started on the former Boulder Creek restaurant building in Riverhead Centre, which is now on its ways to becoming a Joe’s Crab Shack restaurant.

Joe’s Crab Shack has a commercial demolition permit for the interior of the restaurant, which was issued Jan. 23, and a commercial alteration permit, which was issued Feb. 28.

The company has also filed a site plan application with Riverhead Town for a facade alteration.

The Boulder Creek signs on the building have been removed. Boulder Creek had been in Riverhead Centre since the Route 58 shopping center opened in 2003, but the restaurant closed in October 2011 and all its appliances, decor and utensils were later auctioned off.

Joe’s Crab Shack is a national seafood chain owned by Houston-based Ignite Restaurant Group. It was founded in 1991. There are 127 across the U.S. and this will be the first Joe’s in Suffolk County and second on Long Island. A Joe’s Crab Shack opened in Oceanside last year.